Boston Celtics: Is A Roster Shakeup Imminent After Doc Rivers Threatens Change?

January 14, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers during the second half against the Charlotte Bobcats at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Last night was probably one of the lowest moments in Boston sports. The New England Patriots were defeated in Foxboro by the Baltimore Ravens 28-13, but another Boston team lost by 15, and instead of being disappointed, their coach vented frustration and anger towards the team.

Doc Rivers was not pleased with the Celtics last night as he threatened a roster change in the post game press conference. Since his hiring in 2004, I have never seen Doc voice his discontent with the team, at least not in a press conference.

Doc Rivers –

"“I said we’ve got to find something where every night all 12 guys play the same,” Rivers said. “We did it for three games in a stretch. I told them game four and five in that [six-game winning streak] was garbage, we just won the game."

"“So I gotta figure that out. I don’t think the guys are honest with each other. I just don’t think we have committed to being a good basketball team. I think this team wants everything easy. They want the easy way out. They want to win easy. I told them, the only way you’re going to win easy is you’re gonna have to play hard. The harder you play the easier the games become. We’re taking [that] approach.”“I gotta either find the right combination, the right guys or we’re going to get some guys out of here,” he said. “It’s the bottom line, because this group right now, they’re not playing right and it’s in them to play right but right now they haven’t been because I’m not getting to them or they’re not getting to each other. Either we’ve got to do that or we’ve got to make changes. I’m saying if we don’t get it right we may [make changes].’’"

The last paragraph is very telling. I believe Doc Rivers has tried every combination possible, and while the six game winning streak was encouraging to watch, the last three losses have been major steps back. Forty games into the season Boston is 20-20 and in the 8th spot in the East. Unlike last year, this team (on paper) was expected to be playing a lot better and contending for the top spots in the East. Seeing how they’ve played, they’re lucky the Philadelphia 76ers don’t have Bynum playing because Boston probably wouldn’t be in a playoff spot right now.

Looking at the stat sheet, Brandon Bass only played 10 minutes, and Jason Terry only played 15. Maybe I’m reading into it too much, but that might be an indication that Bass and Terry could be on their way out of Boston. They have the value and the Celtics could get something decent in return.

After last night, it’s obvious this team does not have what it takes and the time for patience is over. Danny Ainge has been known to be trigger happy and is always looking for a deal, but something must be done now. The Celtics take on the Knicks, Hawks, and Heat to close out the week. If Boston struggles, I fully expect trades to be made.